International Business Law: Climate Change and Sustainability

Targeting the most complex legal challenge of our time

How does the law facilitate sustainability? What rights and responsibilities do businesses, governments and NGOs have in addressing the issues of climate change? Can states be forced to bring their policies in line with the Paris 2015 Agreement?

VU Amsterdam is the first university in Europe to offer a specific International Business Law degree that combines an outstanding, all-round Master’s in Business Law with a specific focus on one of the most complex legal challenges of our day: sustainability. It took some time for the corporate world to acknowledge the existential threat to mankind that climate change poses. But now, sustainability goes hand-in-hand with business success – and business survival. VU Amsterdam will help you become a lawyer in high demand, in both the public and private sector.

In sustainability issues, the role of the law is complex. There are multiple jurisdictions, numerous areas of law and multiple actors. Scientific, economic, political, social and ethical questions feed into legal processes. We will ensure you’re ready to address those questions.

However, you must first be trained as an all-round attorney. High-level thinking about climate change and sustainability is only possible with a thorough understanding of classical fields of law, such as Corporate, Contract, Tort and Public International Law. This Master’s thus begins with a core curriculum that will make you a great lawyer. We then explore the sustainability question in depth, from a variety of disciplines.

We will delve into doctrinal issues, legislation and case law. You will visit law firms, welcome guest speakers and work on real-life cases. The combination of law in the books and law in action has proven to be highly successful – and the most fun.

To break it down:

You’ll take four courses, to prepare you for any career in law:

Contract Law and Psychology of Negotiations

Anatomy of Corporate Law

Problems of Market Regulation

Corporate Social Responsibility

The rest of the curriculum focuses on sustainability and the law:

International Law on Climate Change and Sustainability

Energy and Climate Governance

Climate Change Litigation

The Circular Economy LAB

You'll write a Master’s Thesis on the topic of your choice, in consultation with your advisor.

You’ll work with experts in Psychology, Economics and Physics, and hear from thought-leaders to help you gain a well-rounded view of this highly complex field of law.

VU Amsterdam is the only university in Europe that offers a specific Law Master’s track that combines business law with climate change and sustainability.

Our close connections with local firms, businesses and governmental agencies gives us first-hand knowledge of the most pressing legal issues, and what is being done to address them.

With only around 25 students admitted into the programme, you will get the individual attention you need, and will be one of only a select few lawyers with this type of specialised and in-demand expertise.

The International Business Law programme at VU Amsterdam is already highly regarded by employers around the world. The addition of this particular study track only increases the value of your degree.

Professors and guest speakers in the programme are law practitioners, physicists, judges, psychologists, economists and academics. Their multi-disciplinary approach will ensure you the most well rounded view of the legal aspects of this topic.

This Master’s degree is not for everyone. It takes a unique blend of empathy and ambition. Passion and drive. Compassion and intellect. You must be able to apply your legal mind to address some of the most complex and challenging legal issues of our day. That means:

You’re not only passionate about addressing climate change and sustainability, but also have an analytical mind that can apply the rules of law to help companies make the right decisions.

You aspire to serve both your own interests and the common good.

You’re hard working and dedicated.

You are eager to study the law from many different perspectives: not only the letter of the law, but psychological, economic, political and social components, as well.

Does this sound like you? Then come along to our Master’s Evening, where you can find out more and try out the programme for yourself! If you’re keen to apply and meet the entry requirements (see below), then take a look at our application procedure and deadlines.

How employable will you be after completing the programme?
There isn’t a single company – large or small – that isn’t affected by the increasing attention and legislation with regard to climate change and sustainability. It’s not a question of whether companies will want you, but which company is the right fit for you.

What will your role be in future jobs?
Depending upon how – and in what country – you choose to use your Master’s in International Business Law, your role will be to guide corporate decision-making, business strategy and innovation, based on your knowledge of climate change legislation. You will be an invaluable asset to any company or organisation for whom you work.

Why will you be in such high demand with employers?
You will not only be a highly qualified and trained all-round jurist, but you will also have the latest and most influential information about sustainability. You will be trained by the leading minds in the field, and will have access to state-of-the-art tools and information that will make you a specialist in your field.

Overview International Business Law: Climate Change and Sustainability

You can apply with an HBO-Law degree plus a completed premaster: VU Schakelzone Rechtsgeleerdheid, offered via the Open Universiteit (in Dutch only).
You can also apply with an HBO-Law degree including the premaster track, completed at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA).
You cannot apply with other HBO degrees, even if you have completed a relevant premaster.
The faculty does not offer a pre-master programme specifically for the IBL Master or in English.

Premaster: VU Schakelzone Rechtsgeleerdheid offered via the OU
You apply to the premaster via the Open Universiteit. The premaster includes one module which you complete at the Vrije Universiteit. More information is available of our website.

Premaster HvA –VU
This premaster is an honours track within the HBO-programme, more information can be found on the HvA website.

HBO-Law + other premaster
If you have completed a premaster which is equal in content and level to the VU-OU Schakelzone premaster, you can ask the Admissions Board to determine if you can apply to the programme.
Please send scans of your HBO degree, certified transcript of the premaster courses completed plus the course descriptions of all premaster courses to admission.law@vu.nl.

For the master International Business Law a minimum C1 proficiency in English is required. This requirement is met if no longer than two years before the start of the programme, the applicant has successfully completed one of the following examinations with at least the scores indicated:

have completed their secondary education or an academic degree in the Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand or Australia; or

have an English-language ‘international baccalaureate’ diploma.

The proof of English proficiency can be submitted after the application deadline, but must have been received by the faculty before the start of the programme. Without an English proficiency test score which meets the specifications mentioned above or a waiver, you cannot start the programme.

if no thesis in English available: any other 3-5 page piece of academic writing as an alternative;

if no academic writing in English available: write 3-5 pages abstract of an academic paper, including bibliography, in English.
Please note we check application documents for plagiarism.

2 letters of recommendation from academic referees (if possible including the ranking position of the applicant); we prefer digital copies uploaded in VUnet, but referees may also mail their references directly to admission.law@vu.nl;

copy of passport and copy of residence permit (if applicable);

optional: course descriptions of relevant courses completed;

optional: literature list or bibliography of relevant books and articles used during your studies).

The admission board may ask for additional documentation at a later stage if this is deemed necessary for reviewing your application.

Send proof of English proficiency to admission.law@vu.nl. This may be sent at a later stage (see Language requirements for details).

As soon as all required application documents have been received, your dossier is submitted to the Admission board. Please note that your dossier must be complete on the application deadline! Incomplete dossiers cannot be taken into consideration.

Information days
Visit our VU Master's event and get acquainted with our Master's degree programmes. Our students and staff are available to help you with all your questions during the information sessions and at the information market.

Applicants with a Bachelor's or equivalent degree in Law (LLB) can apply.

Applicants who do not have such a degree, but who have considerable experience in the field of law, are also encouraged to apply, provided that they have a sound academic background.

Your bachelor education is compared to and valued through the UK Naric comparison system and, if necessary, through the Nuffic comparison and validation programmes. Especially students from non-EU countries should factor in the possibility that a relevant Bachelor’s degree could not be sufficient to enter into this Master in Law programme and their application could result in a rejection.

For the master International Business Law a minimum C1 proficiency in English is required. This requirement is met if no longer than two years before the start of the programme, the applicant has successfully completed one of the following examinations with at least the scores indicated:

have completed their secondary education or an academic degree in the Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand or Australia; or

have an English-language ‘international baccalaureate’ diploma.

The proof of English proficiency can be submitted after the application deadline, but must have been received by the faculty before the start of the programme. Without an English proficiency test score which meets the specifications mentioned above or a waiver, you cannot start the programme.

Application with an international diploma is possible from 1 October. The application deadline is:

1 February for international students who wish to apply for one of the VU scholarships.
1 April for students from outside the EU/EEA
1 April for EU/EEA students not residing in the Netherland who wish to apply for housing
15 July for EU/EEA students

if no thesis in English available: any other 3-5 page piece of academic writing as an alternative;

if no academic writing in English available: write 3-5 pages abstract of an academic paper, including bibliography, in English.
Please note we check application documents for plagiarism.

2 letters of recommendation from academic referees (if possible including the ranking position of the applicant); we prefer digital copies uploaded in VUnet, but referees may also mail their references directly to masters.law@vu.nl;

copy of passport and copy of residence permit (if applicable);

optional: course descriptions of relevant courses completed;

optional: literature list or bibliography of relevant books and articles used during your studies).

The admission board may ask for additional documentation at a later stage if this is deemed necessary for reviewing your application.

Send proof of English proficiency to masters.law@vu.nl. This may be sent at a later stage (see Language requirements for details).

As soon as all required application documents have been received, your dossier is submitted to the Admission board. Please note that your dossier must be complete on the application deadline! Incomplete dossiers cannot be taken into consideration.

Information days
Visit our VU Master's event and get acquainted with our Master's degree programmes. Our students and staff are available to help you with all your questions during the information sessions and at the information market.

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